Reader says stretch of Route 2 is crash waiting to happen

By Tim O'Brien

Updated 7:09 am, Monday, April 8, 2013

Q: I'm writing in an attempt to reconcile a potentially deadly intersection near my Latham home of more than 30 years.

My husband and I live in a neighborhood off Youngs Place, which runs perpendicular to Route 2 between the Latham Circle and Watervliet. There is a traffic light that governs the intersection of Route 2, Swatling Road and Youngs Place.

While the light may have functioned satisfactorily in its younger days, traffic in the area has increased considerably and today the intersection is incredibly dangerous. The cause of the danger is the fact that westbound traffic on Route 2, in order to turn left onto Youngs Place, is required to wait in the left lane of traffic, where vehicles are traveling at 50-plus miles an hour, in order to turn left. While other intersections on the stretch of Route 2 have a median, the median at this intersection is only for eastbound traffic turning left onto Swatling. The result is that through traffic unexpectedly and dangerously encounters westbound cars turning left onto Youngs Place that are stopped midlane on the highway.

I think that it is incredibly negligent to permit the continued existence of this dangerous intersection as-is, but it's a state road and I don't know how or who to contact to address the issue. Surely there must be some action that could be taken (a turn lane, perhaps a left arrow?) to make this deadly intersection safe to motorists. Can you help in figuring out how to go about such action?

"We last performed a study in 2000," said DOT spokeswoman Carol Breen. "We will initiate another study to determine what, if any, actions can or should be taken to improve safety at this location. That thorough evaluation will include site visits to see how the intersection operates, and will take into consideration traffic volume, accident history, existing signs/signals, etc."

Such a study usually takes a few months to complete, Breen said, and she vowed to keep us informed of the findings.

"Getting There" is compiled by staff writer Tim O'Brien. Do you have a question about transportation? Call 454-5020 or e-mail gettingthere@timesunion.com. Please include your name, town and telephone number.

Hot spots

What to watch for this week:

Interstate 787, Albany: Between exits 3B and 4 in downtown Albany, lanes will be closed temporarily at night southbound. Concrete barriers will be installed by mid-April that will reduce the three-lane southbound interstate to two lanes until the end of the summer. In June, the southbound Clinton Avenue off ramp will also close to traffic until the end of the summer.

Latham Circle, Colonie: The bridges that carry Troy Schenectady Road (Route 2) over New Loudon Road (Route 9) are being replaced. Lane closures on Route 9 and Route 2 will be limited to weekdays until the Twin Bridges work is completed. Lane closures on Route 2 will occur only during off-peak hours. Work on portions of the Latham Circle project will be performed during the week at night to lessen the impact on motorists and businesses. DOT also will implement an accelerated 60-day schedule once work on the Northway Twin Bridges is finished. During this 60-day period, Route 2 will be reduced to one lane in each direction, including within Latham Circle. The bridge replacement and full-time lane closures on Route 2 and on Latham Circle are anticipated to end in August. Additional minor work on Route 2 may occur after this time using temporary lane closures. After the 60-day period, Route 2 and Latham Circle will be open to two lanes. Lane closures will still occur on Route 9 under the circle into the fall.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko Bridge, Colonie: The southbound side of the bridge will be replaced. The southbound lanes will be closed at 10 p.m. on Fridays, reopening before the rush hour on Monday mornings. Unlike last year, when only one lane was open in both directions, this year, two southbound and one northbound lane will be open on the weekends. Work is expected to be completed before Memorial Day weekend.

Crossgates Mall ramp north to Northway, Guilderland: The bridge ramp will be replaced. The ramp will mostly remain open, but at a reduced width, allowing passenger vehicles to use the ramp. Buses and trucks larger than a single unit will be detoured away from the ramp. A signed detour will direct those vehicles to Western Avenue and then to the southern end of the Northway. A 10-ton weight limit will be posted. The ramp will be closed overnight, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., some six to 12 times to complete the project. All ramp closures will be announced in advance, with the appropriate coordination with emergency services.

Western Gateway Bridge, Scotia to Schenectady: One lane will be closed in each direction on the Western Gateway Bridge carrying Route 5 over the Mohawk River between Scotia and Schenectady. One lane in each direction will remain open. The lane closures will accommodate bridge repairs and will remain in place through the end of the year.

Congress Street Bridge, Troy to Watervliet: Work is being done on the bridge carrying Route 2 over Interstate 787 and the Hudson River. One lane in each direction will be closed to traffic. One sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians. A signed detour will be installed for truck traffic, directing them to use the Green Island Bridge between Green Island and Troy. Work on the portion of bridge over I-787 took place last year. Work on the portion of bridge over the Hudson River will take place this year. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.

Ferry Street, Troy: The street is reduced to one lane between Walter F. Uccellini Avenue and Eighth Street.